"We are our memory". The MEMODYN project investigates this fascinating subject of
fundamental importance. We take a fresh perspective that emphasises the study of memory,
in its natural dynamic setting, as a journey in the making. The two key characters in this
journey are learning and consolidation; these processes are known to interact but have
hitherto been studied in isolation. The perspective of this project enables them to be
understood, for the first time, under the influence of their inherent interactions, and in the
context of brain maturation and ageing. The project aims to provide new insight into how
much our ability to learn is dictated by the make up of our neuronal circuitries, how memories
are initially formed and later stored for the long haul, how this is made possible by the
rewiring of our neuronal circuitries, and how our memory processes and capacities vary as our
brain evolves through its lifespan. We develop novel methodologies to address these aims by
harnessing recent advances in experimental techniques (behavioural, neurophysiological, and
neuroimaging) and computational modelling. A unique blend of psychologists, neuroscientists,
and engineers has been assembled to provide the collective expertise critical to the delivery of
this inter-disciplinary endeavour. The outcomes of this research may lay the foundation for
identifying vulnerabilities in learning and consolidation pathways eventually leading to their
treatment.